The latest COVID-19 vaccine (2024-2025) has been linked to fewer serious heart-related events among U.S.veterans.New research confirmed a small reduction in COVID-related cardiovascular events, or COVID-19-associated MACE, due to the vaccine.MACE (major adverse cardiovascular events) is a composite measure of serious heart-related outcomes.
It typically includes cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke, and may also include hospitalization for heart failure.VACCINES FOR FLU AND COVID: SHOULD YOU GET BOTH AT THE SAME TIME?Using health records from the U.S.Department of Veterans Affairs, the researchers compared two groups of veterans — one that received the COVID and flu vaccine on the same day (nearly 350,000 people) and another group that received only the flu vaccine (nearly 700,000 people).For people older than 75, vaccine effectiveness against COVID-associated MACE was 50.7%.
(iStock)Out of more than one million veterans studied, the average age was about 70 and 92% were male, according to a press release.Within about eight months, the results showed that those who received the 2024-2025 COVID vaccine had a lower risk of COVID-associated major cardiovascular events, with a relative vaccine effectiveness of 37.7%.The COVID vaccine was linked to a 57.9% lower risk of cardiovascular death, 38.5% lower risk of heart attack and 41.9% lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure, the researchers stated.The result for stroke was not statistically significant.SCIENTISTS PINPOINT WHY COVID VACCINE MAY TRIGGER HEART INFLAMMATION IN CERTAIN PEOPLEThe benefit was greatest among adults ages 75 and older and those with underlying health conditions.
In people over 75, the vaccine was 50.7% effective at preventing COVID-associated MACE.As the study was observational, it could not prove cause and effect between the COVID-19 vaccine and lower risk of cardiovascular events, but only highlighted an association.CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIESDr.Glenn Hirsch, cardiol...